Wikipedia Editathon

What you can do

Not sure what you can do? Here are some editing tasks and ideas to get you started.

1. Learn while doing. There are many maintenance tasks which can be done. Learn how to de-orphan articles. Provide Wikipedia peer-review. Locate and upload suitable images.

2. Revise problematic language. The Style Guide for Reporting on Indigenous People offers general guidance in a quick reference format.

Some tasks could include:

• Locate mentions of "Canada's Indigenous people" and replace with "Indigenous peoples in what is now Canada." 
• Locate references to "Canadian" or "Indigenous ancestry" and investigate whether a more relevant national or community affiliation would be appropriate.
• Proof read and correct uses of past tense when referring to contemporary Indigenous peoples and/or cultures.

3. Make connections to the land. Add reference to the traditional lands (and treaties if applicable) on which places are located. Consult Whose Land and Native Land to learn more.

4. Add your voice to the discussion. Look at the "Talk" pages and read the community discussion about the article. Weigh in on any debates or get ideas about what could be added or altered to make the article stronger.

5. Pass on what you've learned. After reading an article or book about Indigenous peoples, cultures, or histories read the related Wikipedia page(s) and include information you find missing with a reference. If no page exists for a topic, create one. If you are looking for a book drop by "Our Stories" space on L10 of the Library.

6. Fill out the stories. Learn about the implications of colonial settlement for Indigenous peoples and ensure articles present all perspectives (and don't reproduce colonial stereotypes . For settlers, Robichaud and McCracken suggest learning more about the effects of one's ancestors settlement, asking what the consequence of settler community survival was for local Indigenous communities. See the Resources tab to get started.

7. Share your experience. Once you know how, show others how to edit Wikipedia. Bring friends to editathon events, or volunteer to organize and lead an editathon. Check out the Events info on the Background tab and reach out to someone on our team if you'd like to get involved.

Several ideas have been adapted from the online magazine article "Doing the work: Editing Wikipedia as an act of reconciliation" by Danielle Robichaud and Krista McCracken.